Matinee Heroes – Details, episodes & analysis

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES In New York City, a mysterious ooze transforms four ordinary turtles into wisecracking, pizza-loving, ninja-fighting heroes. Trained in the art of Ninjutsu by their wise rat sensei, Splinter, the brothers — Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo — take to the streets to fight crime. But when a deadly rogue ninja, a former student of Splinter, shows up and unleashes chaos on the city, it’s up to the turtles to step up and save the day. Craig and Rob talk about foam rubber animals, regional accents, Retro Expo and the movie Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles on this week’s Matinee Heroes!! Next week, another live episode from Comicpalooza as we dust off the game show CastOFF! for 2 Star Wars themed competitions.

SUPERMAN II: THE RICHARD DONNER CUT Kryptonian warlord General Zod and his deadly crew are accidentally released from their space prison—and they’ve got their sights set on Earth. Just as they begin their reign of terror, Superman makes a life-changing choice: give up his powers to be with Lois Lane. Now the world’s greatest hero has to decide—love or duty—while the planet hangs in the balance. Craig and Rob Ervin talk about their favorite Superman, athletic nerds, Retro Expo and the movie "Superman II" on this week’s Matinee Heroes!! Next week, another live episode from Retro Expo with Rob Ervin. Craig is forced to talk about "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMJPwRWaZBI&ab_channel=RottenTomatoesClassicTrailers  

CONTAGION Beth Emhoff comes home from a business trip to Hong Kong feeling off, blaming it on jet lag. Two days later, she’s dead—and doctors can’t explain why. As others show the same symptoms, a global pandemic erupts. While doctors race to contain the deadly virus, society unravels and a rogue blogger fuels mass paranoia. Craig and Elisabeth talk about pandemics, COVID parallels, science as savior and the movie “Contagion” on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 1:03 Craig and Elisabeth talk about their pandemic experiences. 10:55 Craig and Elisabeth discuss "Contagion" 45:44 Recasting 1:01:33 Double Feature 1:04:53 Final Thoughts 1:11:20 A preview of next week's episode "Contagion" Next week, we start Fairy Tale month with "Ever After" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szP9U0uLl5U&ab_channel=FilmTrailerChannel

BLADE RUNNER 2049 Officer K, a new blade runner for the Los Angeles Police Department, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. His discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former blade runner who's been missing for 30 years. Craig, Alan and guest Elisabeth Rappe talk about what defines real, what is human, success of 2023 and the movie “Blade Runner 2049” on this week’s Matinee Heroes. Show Notes 0:59 Craig, Alan and guest Elisabeth Rappe talk about their successes from 2023. 15:08 Craig, Alan and Elisabeth discuss "Blade Runner 2049" 39:55 Recasting 1:13:10  Double Feature 1:19:30 Final Thoughts 1:27:25 A preview of next week's episode "The Godfather: Part II" Next week we conclude a month of sequels with the masterpiece "The Godfather: Part II" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O1Iy9od7-A&ab_channel=ParamountMovies

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME With Spider-Man's identity now revealed, our friendly neighborhood web-slinger is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life as Peter Parker from the high stakes of being a superhero. When Peter asks for help from Doctor Strange, the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man. Craig and guest co-host Brendan Agnew discuss proper fan service, multiverses, family trips and the movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!! Show Notes 1:08 Craig and guest  co-host Brendan Agnew discuss travel plans in 2024. 8:44 Craig and Brendan discuss "Spider-Man: No Way Home" 29:08 Recasting 51:48  Double Feature 54:07 Final Thoughts 55:36 A preview of next week's episode "Blade Runner 2049" Next week we continue a month of sequels with "Blade Runner 2049" https://youtu.be/gCcx85zbxz4?si=CLKjNHji6JtYy_ZQ

ALIEN 3 Ellen Ripley is the only survivor when she crash lands on a bleak wasteland inhabited by former inmates of the planet's maximum security prison. Once again, Ripley must face skepticism and the alien as it hunts down the prisoners and guards. Without weapons or modern technology of any kind, Ripley leads these men into battle against the terrifying creature. Craig, Alan and guest Mark Woodring talk about what 2024 may bring, special editions, prison planets and the movie “Alien 3” on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 0:59 Craig, Alan and guest Mark Woodring talk about the what 2024 may have in store for them. 9:25 Craig, Alan and Mark discuss "Alien3" 40:03 Recasting 1:01:32  Double Feature 1:04:11 Final Thoughts 1:08:30 A preview of next week's episode "Spider-Man: No Way Home" Next week we continue a month of sequels starting with "Spider-Man: No Way Home" https://youtu.be/JfVOs4VSpmA?si=5icyOnR6fdwb0UbH

CLUE Six blackmail victims are invited to an isolated mansion by a man who knows a dark secret from each of their pasts. On arrival, each is given a pseudonym drawn from Cluedo before being introduced to the blackmailer. Each is handed a weapon, at which point the lights are switched off and the blackmailer is killed. Can the guests uncover the murderer before they all become victims? Craig, Alan and guest Cary Gordon discuss murder mysteries, the most fun films of 2023, multiple endings and the movie “Clue” on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 1:10 Craig, Alan and guest Cary Gordon talk about the movies of 2023 they had the most fun watching. 22:00 Craig, Alan and Cary discuss "Clue" 46:34 Recasting 1:08:10  Double Feature 1:14:09 Final Thoughts 1:18:28 A preview of next week's episode "Alien3" Next week we start a new year with a month of sequels starting with "Alien3" https://youtu.be/TtOBa2SMSPs?si=stjguZVOs2ZVPnc9

THE SECRET OF NIHM Mrs. Brisby is a widowed mouse who must move her children out of their home in a field before the local farmer starts plowing. Unable to leave because her son is ill, Mrs. Brisby seeks the help of nearby rats, who have heightened intelligence after being the subjects of scientific experiments. She receives an unexpected gift from the elder rat, Nicodemus but Mrs. Brisby is soon caught in a conflict among the rats, jeopardizing her mission to save her family. Craig, Alan and guest Rob Ervin talk dark animation, Craig’s exclusive interview with Don Bluth, breaking away from Disney and the movie “The Secret of NIHM” on this holiday edition of Matinee Heroes. Show Notes 1:11 Craig, Alan and guest Rob Ervin discuss meeting Don Bluth and his legacy. 9:12 Craig, Alan and Rob discuss "The Secret of NIHM" 34:06 Recasting 46:55  Double Feature 51:31 Final Thoughts 57:35 Craig's exclusive interview with Don Bluth recorded live at FanX 2023 in Salt Lake City. 1:44:41 A preview of next week's episode "Clue: The Movie" Next week we end the year on a mystery with a fan favorite "Clue: The Movie" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEXdWfsKZ1k

THE NEVERENDING STORY On his way to school, Bastian ducks into a bookstore to avoid bullies. Sneaking away with a book called "The Neverending Story," Bastian begins reading the novel about Fantasia, a fantasy land threatened by "The Nothing," a darkness that destroys everything it touches. The kingdom needs the help of a human child to survive. When Bastian reads a description of himself in the book, he begins to wonder if Fantasia is real and needs him to survive. Craig and guest co-host Brendan Agnew talk about kid movie influences, nihilism in children’s tales, horse trauma and the movie “The Neverending Story” on this week's Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 1:24 Craig and guest co-host Brendan Agnew talk about movies they grew up with. 10:29 Craig and Brendan discuss "The Neverending Story" 31:39  Double Feature 36:06 Final Thoughts 39:45 A preview of next week's episode "The Secret of NIHM" The 80's kids movies continue with a special FanX panel with Craig and Don Bluth, creator of  "Secret of NIHM" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4xHs01SUA4&ab_channel=MGM

THE GOONIES With brothers Mikey and Brand's house slated for demolition by greedy land developers, the boys decide their only hope lies in finding a long-lost treasure. They uncover a treasure map and with their friends descend to a subterranean sea and an abandoned galleon looking for the "X" and trying to get away from a group of bad guys who also want the treasure. Craig, guest co-hosts Elisabeth Rappe and Billy Donnelly talk about that friend with a pool, kids who save the day, films we grew up with and the movie “the Goonies” on this week’s Matinee Heroes. Show Notes 1:14 Craig and guest co-hosts Elisabeth Rappe and Billy Donnelly talk about movies they grew up with 15:37 Craig Elisabeth and Billy discuss "The Goonies" 51:27  Double Feature 1:06:04 Final Thoughts 1:18:29 A preview of next week's episode "The Neverending Story" The 80's kids movies continue next week with "The Neverending Story" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN02NqddSCk&ab_channel=WarnerBros.